Texas AG sues Biden administration over vaccine mandate for contractors

"The Biden Administration has repeatedly expressed its disdain for Americans who choose not to get a vaccine, and it has committed repeated and abusive federal overreach to force upon Americans something they do not want,” Paxton said in a statement.

• "If the President thinks his patience is wearing thin, he is clearly underestimating the lack of patience from Texans whose rights he is infringing," Paxton added.

Context: Paxton and Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott have fought vehemently against public health measures intended to stop the spread of COVID-19.

• The governor previously banned vaccine passports implemented after emergency use authorizations and the state’s ban on mask mandates prompted an investigation by the Department of Education.
• This month, Abbot issued an executive order prohibiting vaccine mandates by any "entity," including employers, if someone objects to the vaccine for "any reason of personal conscience."

The big picture: The Texas lawsuit comes one day after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced he had filed suit against the same Biden administration order.

• Like Abbott, DeSantis has been an aggressive critic of public health measures intended to address the toll of the virus.

Go deeper: DeSantis sues Biden administration over contractor vaccine mandate